New Update: Stay tuned for our recap of the 2018 US Open of Surfing. At press, SWATCH has signed on to sponsor the US Open of Surfing through until 2020. No word on whether or not VANS will remain a main sponsor in 2019 and/or beyond.

The WQS (World Qualifying Series) is a professional surfing tour that brings us the prestigious 6-Star event known as the US Open of Surfing.

In addition to a weeks worth of high performance surfing at its best on the often fickle summer peaks of Huntington Beach, the US Open provides an atmosphere that attracts pretty much anyone that ventures nearby. Surfing is just one part of the equation that makes up this event. Spectators wander around the contest village for hours checking out the sights and sounds brought to them by the many sponsors and their exciting campaigns that allow for abundant freebies, giveaways, contests and more.

There are skateboard and bmx demos/contests, exhibits of all sorts, fashion shows, shopping venues, and even a free live music soundstage with local and internationally known bands serving as the main event or background soundtrack depending on your tastes. In short, there is something for everyone, even if that activity is people watching (which is at its best here!).

2018 VANS Village Map

This gallery showcases the US Open of Surfing Huntington Beach from the most recent annual events. More to come in the near future

Previous sponsor Nike converted the local motel into a 6.0 motel. What will VANS do in 2018?

The U.S. Open of Surfing is the biggest event in America that average Joes and Janes don't know about. Sure, the 500,000 plus people that show up every year to attend this event somehow stumbled across it. But when we tell people in general that we're on our way to cover the "U.S. Open" at the end of July into early August each year, they cock an eye and scratch their temples asking "What? I just watched the U.S Open weeks ago..." or "Huh, did they move it?", likening the title to either golf or tennis or even dodge ball (there is a US Open for everything apparently). We then go on to explain how there is a professional surfing circuit that tours the world and converges upon this small beach city of Huntington Beach, and their interest appears peaked momentarily until they realize they cant relate. At this point we change the direction of our breakdown of the event, not to any fault of their own, but because we realize that WE in fact are giving an incorrect reporting of what this event is about.

Yes, this is a surf contest first and foremost, but to describe it as such does not do it justice. The US Open of Surfing brings together all things "beach" and everything that comes along with it; tanned scandily clad gals and guys, surf and sand, kids perched on mom/dad shoulders to see above the crowd, beach volleyball, skateboard & moto-cross demos, concerts, fashion shows, food, drinks, and of course the promotion of products and services that are absolutely "essential" to helping you fulfill your desire to live the ultimate lifestyle. Combine all of that together with temporary tattoos, free stickers and board wax and we give you the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach. Dont miss it and dont forget to tell your friends about it - exactly the way we described it here.